The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team won the first round of the "Battle for the Bridge" by defeating top ranked Kentucky Wesleyan College, 94-88, at the Physical Activities Center Thursday evening. USI raises its record to 9-4 overall and 4-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, while KWC falls to 11-1 overall, 6-1 GLVC.

Trailing 40-34 at halftime, the Screaming Eagles used a 14-4 explosion to start the second half and never looked back. The Panther cut a 15-point USI lead to four, 85-81, with 57 seconds to play, before the Eagles sank nine straight free throws down the stretch to ice the game.

The Eagles got an incredible game from senior center Ronnie Griffin (Louisville, Kentucky). Griffin posted his fourth double-double of the season with 23 points and 14 rebounds. He also had two assists and three steals to lead USI.

Griffin was joined in double figure scoring by senior forward Marlowe Currie (St. Louis, Missouri) and junior guard David Ragland (Evansville, Indiana) with 18 points apiece, while freshman guard Cris Brunson (Evansville, Indiana) dropped in 10 points.

The next action for the Eagles will be on Saturday, January 5, when they host Wilberforce University in a non-conference contest. Game time is a special 2 p.m. start. The next Great Lakes Valley Conference action for the Eagles will be Thursday, January 10, when Quincy University visits the PAC.